Rescue offers spay/neuter discounts

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Hope Animal Rescues is offering a deal to spay or neuter your pet this February.

February is Spay and Neuter month and the organization is hosting its second annual “Save a Litter, Fix your Critter.”

During the event, Hope Animal Rescues in conjunction with local veterinarians will be offering a spay or neuter operation for a reduced price of $55.

Co-founder Kim Lee said the rescue hosts the event each year to help with the births of unwanted pets in the local community.

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), approximately 6 to 8 million cats and dogs enter a shelter annually and 3 to 4 million of them are euthanized by shelters each year. The HSUS also estimates that the average cat can produce as many as 18 kittens per year and a dog can produce as many as 20 puppies per year.

Hope Animal Rescues helps rescue and re-home unwanted pets in the local area. They have rescued nearly 700 pets and re-homed more than 650 since beginning operations in November 2005.

But despite the efforts of organizations like Hope Animal Rescues, the number of pets born each year still outweighs the number of homes.

Co-founder Jackie Spiker said one way to help reduce the overpopulation is to have your pets spayed or neutered.

“There are millions of pets euthanized each year because there are simply not enough homes for them. The only way to stop pet over-population is to prevent it,” said Spiker. “If they are not born we won’t have to rescue them.”

The organization also realizes the cost may be a factor in keeping many from having the operation performed.

The surgery depending on the size of your pet costs as much as $150.

But for those unable to pay for a surgery, there are a number of ways to get financial help, such as through this event.

Lee said the rescue’s goal this year is to spay or neuter 80 pets in the local community.

“Last year, the rescue sterilized 65 pets total,” Lee said.

Spiker said anyone interested in scheduling an appointment should call Hope Animal Rescues at 463-9983.

She said the rescue will be scheduling and completing the confirmations for the surgeries - no calls will be taken by the veterinary offices.

The surgeries will begin on Feb. 8 in Glen Carbon and then the others will be scheduled throughout the month of February.

Veterinarians assisting with the event include: Hawthorne in Glen Carbon, Daniel Randall in Godfrey and Formea Animal Hospital in Alton.

Last year, residents in Madison County united to help reduce the number of unwanted pets and formed a charitable organization called SNIP Alliance (www.snipalliance.org). The group's next meeting is at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15 in the large meeting room at the Edwardsville Public Library.

To learn more about why to spay or neuter your pet or to find a discounted operation in your area, visit www.spayusa.org.

For more information about Hope Animal Rescues or the event, visit www.hoperescues.com or call 463-9983.